Originally this account followed the arrangement of Napier (1981), as adopted by Grubb et al. (2003), because of the continuing uncertainty about the boundaries between the nominal species. However, Chlorocebus aethiops is here treated as a superspecies with each of the subspecies raised to specific status, with further variations within each of these recognized as subspecies. Grubb et al. (2003) retained this species in Cercopithecus, but it is here placed in Chlorocebus following Groves (2005) and Groves and Kingdon (in press).

Present in Sudan from Khartoum in the north to Mongalla in the south, and in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Eritrea where it is found south of the River Omo and ranges as far east as the Ethiopian Rift Valley (Dandelot and Prevost 1972). Its range formerly extended along the Nile Valley.

This species is present in savanna, open woodland, forest-grassland mosaic, especially close to rivers (Dorst and Dandelot 1972). It is an extremely adaptable species that can live in both rural and urban environments. Heavily dependent on acacia seeds, flowers, foliage and gum. Also feeds on figs and other fruiting trees (Butynski 2002).